THE man described as 'the secret hero' behind the new Doctor Who is returning to his home city of Manchester to develop new drama series for the BBC.

Former Dr Who producer Phil Collinson will materialise in the city this spring as head of a newly-created drama hub.

THE man described as 'the secret hero' behind the new Doctor Who is returning to his home city of Manchester to develop new drama series for the BBC.

Former Dr Who producer Phil Collinson (pictured) will materialise in the city this spring as head of a newly-created drama hub.

His role will be to identify new projects and discover exciting new writers, stories and production companies for the corporation as it prepares to move more than 2,000 staff to the new mediacity:uk site at Salford Quays. He'll be based in Manchester before the move.

He said: "The four years I've spent producing Doctor Who in Cardiff have been incredibly rewarding and I've long wondered how I was ever going to prise myself away from such a thrilling show and inspirational cast and crew.

"The chance to return home to Manchester, though, and start something completely new, is irresistible.

"Manchester has always been an amazing centre for excellence in drama production and the chance to establish a formal BBC Drama base there, and build on the massive range of local talent, is incredibly exciting. I'm thrilled and honoured to be charged with this task."

Mr Collinson started his career in television in Manchester as script editor for drama serials at Granada, followed by stints as storyliner/script editor on Emmerdale.

He also worked on Peak Practice, Born And Bred, Linda Green and Sea Of Souls before becoming the producer for Doctor Who in January, 2004.

Miss him

Russell T Davies, the Manchester-based executive producer and writer of Doctor Who, said: "Phil has been the secret hero of Doctor Who for the past four years and we'll miss him more than I can say - but the most exciting thing about this new job is that so many more producers, writers and actors will get to work with him. I envy them."

BBC
chief creative officer, Peter Salmon said: "Phil Collinson is a terrific addition to a brilliant top team. His arrival also marks the BBC's renewed commitment to northern drama talent, at a time when its base in the north west of England is to be strengthened considerably throughout."

While Mr Collinson will fill a newly-created position, Greater Manchester already has a good reputation for new BBC drama.

Recent projects filmed in the region include Life On Mars and Cutting It, while a new drama, Mrs Inbetweeny, is set to start on BBC Three soon.

Mr Collinson is currently putting the final touches to the fourth series of Doctor Who but will not work on the fifth series, which is scheduled to be screened in 2010.

The appointment of a BBC drama head in Manchester follows the recent creation of a comedy hub.

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